Cross-Game Chat Confirmed As A Plus-Exclusive Feature?
See Full ImageUpdate: It has been clarified that cross-game chat will NOT be a Plus-exclusive feature. In fact, we're still not sure if it's coming; stay tuned for any official details.
Original Story:
Sony made some big announcements during their E3 press conference, but perhaps the advent of a long-awaited feature for the PlayStation 3 escaped detection during the unveiling of gigantic news.
Cross-game chat is something PS3 owners have been pining for and although we've heard plenty of rumors and pseudo-confirmations over the past few months, this is the best information we have to date. We don't yet have an exact date for the enabling of cross-game chat but it might be available when Sony releases firmware update 3.40 and their new PlayStation Plus subscription plan. Examiner.com noticed the feature in question pop up in a European explanation of Plus:
"Cross-game Voice Chat: invite your friends to chat online no matter what game you're all playing, even if they aren't members of PlayStation Plus."
Now, the downside is that it appears to be attached to Plus, so you'll have to either drop the $50 for the annual subscription or the $18 for a three-month subscription if you wish to take advantage. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to subscribe to Plus, as Sony outlined plenty of appealing details; early demos, exclusive DLC, and in general, preferential Network treatment. And there ain't nothin' wrong with being a PSN VIP.
6/15/2010 8:50:37 PM John Shepard
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Comments (65 posts)
Zemus101
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:38:36 PM
Reply
Great news for me, I have a couple friends that would love to chat it up during more single player oriented games, GoW3, Fallout, Dead Space, etc.
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 11:10:08 PM
sigh....
0 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:39:49 PM
Reply
5 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:55:27 PM
1 up, 0 down
Alienange
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:42:29 PM
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Nice feature too, but not worth the money they're asking.
4 up, 2 down
InBlackestNight
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:47:05 PM
Reply
9 up, 4 down
Alienange
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:06:02 PM
Is that a good enough explanation?
5 up, 4 down
Mysterio Spyder
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:19:12 PM
I personally think 3D is stupid and a complete waste of time and money. I don't like wearing the plastic red and blue glasses we have now, I KNOW i won't wanna wear a pair of Ray Band look alikes that cost over $100. I don't know a single person who cares about 3D, or is gonna flock out and upgrade thier current setup. I welcome 3D because it's a PLUS to PS3 and there are people out there that are intrested in it just like there are people intrested in Cross Game Chat.
Side note, it should be called "PRIVATE CHAT" or "UNIVERSAL CHAT" as you should be able to do whatever while chatting instead of just being in different games or locked in a white room. "UNIVERSAL CHAT" and custom soundtracks are my most wanted features to come to psn. I see ANY feature coming to psn as a plus, not a negetive.
Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 6/15/2010 10:20:13 PM
3 up, 4 down
Zapix
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 11:41:27 PM
On that note, I agree saying use a cell phone is just flatout dumb. it's hardly the point of gaming chat. For one, a cellphone may or may not have minute, reception, etc to deal with, and not exactly convenient to use while playing a game (unless you happened to have a headset connected). Even then, you're limited to a single person. If you are you simple as to bash party chat, then you shouldn't even be reading this news bit. You're looking for something to do and to be a pest. If that isn't the case, you either have no friends, or don't like chatting with groups of people.
That being said, to even put skype into the same idea as a cellphone is like comparing apples and oranges. Having played Final Fantasy XI for 5 years, there is practically no better chat system than skype (or vent if that's your preference). Not only is it free, but it means EVERYONE regardless of console can be a part of the chat party. Granted, this does mean you have to have a PC or PSP or other skype device on hand (which is not always possible), but it blows away any other option, including this pay for chat from Sony or the party chat on LIVE! (although LIVE! still offers private 1 to 1 person chat regardless of membership).
Glad to see Sony adding this; unfortuate to see it's not going to be a basic part of the PSN.
On that note, end of post.
2 up, 2 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 12:10:23 AM
If it comes with the plus subscription thats good enough for me. If not I've never complained about it before, why should I now!?
Anyways the cell phone comment as ignorant as it may be. Its true. ;)
Y do I need to talk to someone who isnt playing the same game as me? And better yet, I really get into SP stories, so y would I want to be interrupted by a little chat session? Dont tell me to pause it, cus then I could just as easily pick up my phone, or text a friend, in that time period.
I mean take the cell phone comment as a joke, I think its funny. Cus really again someone please answer me the reason why chatting with someone outside your game is needed so dearly, that it stirs up these arguments and complaints? And listen again im not against it, so I wont critiscize any answers you give, I just want to know, what im not seeing as important!
4 up, 0 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 7:34:48 AM
I'll explain what I think on some people's response on Cross Chat because of how thier response makes them look. Just keep in mind I'm not trying to insult anybody here, including you bigrailer19 but Im using what you said as an example.
"y would I want to be interrupted by a little chat session?" Ok, who says because Cross Chat is coming that you HAVE to use it? It's an invite like any other invite, either deny it, or ignore it? It's not that hard to understand, some people just seem so idiotic on the situation they ASSUME that when it's here they're forced to use the feature all the time. I enjoy single player games just as much as most of you as I'm not really into online mp gaming that much anymore. If somebody sends an invite and I want to play the game and not chat, I'll deny it, see, simple, that wasn't difficult was it? If you're worried that your friends will spam you constantly with chat invites tell them no, if they keep doing it then they shouldn't be on your list.
I have a hard time understanding why people would bash an extra feature coming to PSN, I see extra features as a plus. It's like the Picture program Sony gave us, to me it's useless because I don't use my PS3 for looking at pictures, but I'm sure there's people who do so good software for them.
I understand there's other ways of having Cross Chat but why would I want to run a seperate device when the PS3 is capable of doing it through the network?
Cross Chat is VERY useful for myself and alot of people I know because say I just wanna shoot the shxt casually with some friends, not all have pc's, some of them might want to be uploading stuff to thier PS3 while I might want to be browsing the PS Store, with Cross Chat that's possible, much more more versitile then stuck in a white room. Cell phones are out of the question, not everybody is on the same network, you're only aloud so many minutes a month, why spend MORE money when you can spend less? We use the PS3 as our main source of chatting, especially for friends and family that are long distance.
Cross Chat isn't NEEDED by a long shot, it's a feature alot of us WANT. It's like you get your 1st car but there's no Stereo in it, somebody says "use your mp3 player with mini speakers" it works, but not good enough right? I'm sure you'll be installing a stereo in that car real fast. It's not needed, but it's what you want.
Like I said no insult intended, I just had to say what I felt on the situation and how some people make themselves out to be when they put idiotic comments.
I apologize for the long rant, I'll end now
Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 6/16/2010 7:43:25 AM
1 up, 2 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:30:36 AM
0 up, 0 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:47:06 AM
I respect your opinion on Cross Chat, you don't really want the feature, but you'll accept it as there's others who do want it. That's fine, I just don't understand people bashing any feature that has no effect on them if they decide not to use it.
0 up, 0 down
hellish_devil
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:54:01 PM
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I'm really happy having free online game, and that's all that I need
10 up, 1 down
Scarecrow
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:42:34 PM
People need to understand what Skype, irc, AIM, and MSN are
1 up, 3 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:56:02 PM
Reply
7 up, 4 down
Kangasfwa
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:31:43 PM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:58:39 PM
1 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 11:47:57 PM
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Godslim
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:05:47 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 1:53:12 PM
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:30:19 PM
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I guess this might be a good thing for those who really dig this sort of thing.
But for me, if I wanted a lot of yakking going on while I'm busy trying to play & follow the storyline.......I'd just go and re-marry my non-gamer, now-irritating, 1st wife all over again!
6 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 12:15:50 AM
I here ya for sure. Except never been married. But I know what your saying!
I get in games and like to follow stories, so the cross game chat would be useless to me! Same for the MP, if they are not in the same game as me, I cant have them help me out or issue a command (whoa that command comment sounded a little nerdy) to them!
1 up, 0 down
NeoHumpty
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 10:49:48 PM
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I am going to take the plunge and get plus. It sounds like it will be worth it, I just really hope they follow up with some good stuff that I can actually use. It's all clear to me now why they are charging $2-$3 for themes.
The full game demos sound like the most exciting thing about it for me, though. Demos can turn you off sometimes to a game that you would normally like if you actually started from the beginning.
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kraygen
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 11:39:20 PM
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I still wonder if they won't just add this feature to the free psn features at some point.
As for the plus as a whole, I really still have questions about how it will all work. I don't want to pay $50 for a bunch of stuff I don't need or want.
For example, exclusive dlc, what if I don't have the game that the dlc is for? Mini's I'm not really into, other psn downloads, do I get to choose or is it whatever they give me? Some downloads I just don't care to have.
I'm not saying no to plus, I'm saying I need more info, if correctly implemented it's a possibility.
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Robochic
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 2:18:01 AM
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1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 2:42:01 AM
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What I do not get is how anyone participating in a multiplayer game session can juggle the conversation with someone not involved in the game. Nor do I see what it gains me if I am playing an SP campaign. If you want to talk to me, call my phone number, I'll even put you on speaker if you can control your mouth.
I"m just saying because I do not for a moment understand how this feature can be such a hot button for people. It's like saying that you would rather buy a Ford Focus instead of a Porsche because the Ford has Sync.
3 up, 1 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:38:17 AM
From what you put I'm understanding that you don't talk to people when you game? Correct me if I'm wrong, that's just what I understood from "if you want to talk to me call my phone number".
I understand some people can't do anything AND have a conversation at the same time, car accidents caused by being on the phone is proof of that.
There's alot of players out there who play games to waste time, or have fun, not everybody zones into a game, so having a conversation and gaming is quite easy.
The comment "why would I want to have chat invites sent to me while I'm really into a good game?" I'm sorry but that is such a stupid comment. What makes a chat invite any different than any other invite? An invite is an invite no?
The best part of Cross Chat (it really needs a new name) is the fact that when your in it, you automatically have other people not in the chat muted, which is a plus because there's alot of morons out there that make stupid noises or obscene comments through thir mics, very annoying when trying to communicate with a friend on the same team (bc2 has this feature automatically if you're in a squad). Sure I can mute the people but why go through that all the time?
I mainly want it so I can chat with friends and family and not be stuck in the same game or boring white room, it's not for the being in different games feature, it's the doing anything feature and still be able to chat. This is why I said Cross Chat needs a new name.
2 up, 2 down
Alienange
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 12:28:43 PM
On top of that, PSN friends are not all from the local neighborhood. Depending on the game you might find yourself with friends all over the world. Long distance charges do apply on cell phones.
I for one, and it seems many others, are sick and tired of typing messages with the DS3 or keypad. So yeah, we want cross game chat and yeah we're excited by the prospect of Sony bringing it to the PS3.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 2:43:00 PM
Don't jump to the conclusions that because I think cross-game chat is pointless (in an age of almost limitless telecommunications), that I don't game online. I do.
2 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 6:33:44 PM
/sarc
edit...i was not being sarcastic that you made an excellent explanation. 8)
Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 6/16/2010 6:34:54 PM
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 6:56:55 PM
On the other hand, having a cell phone is not a reason for Sony to not give us the equivalent of what is on Live. It's a cool feature and I'd certainly welcome it.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 7:13:06 PM
As I said to Mysterio further down.
No worries, this is just a differing of opinions. It happens all the time, it would be awfully boring if we all agreed with eachother and just posted "Me too" or "Agreed" in every reply...
;)
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___________
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:07:16 AM
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they mentioned betas, demos and a few other things but are we expected to pay 50 bucks just for those?
count me out!
0 up, 2 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:37:05 AM
They did detail what would be available in the first month, I can't remember it all, but Wipeout HD, Qore, two PS Minis, 1 PS1 classic, avatars and themes and I think there were exclusive demos mentioned. Also that was mentioned as the initial content as if there will be a monthly 'dump' of new content to PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Why don't you wait for the official product information before uttering the immortal words "count me out". There are times when I think we should count you out of everything on account of you always being so darned negative.
5 up, 1 down
Evil tele
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 8:56:33 AM
quick to jump on someone when they make a mistake... or 'unreasonable response'
aren't we all fighting for the same things?
more features, better games.... at the cheapest price possible
anyway, the subscription would be better if it meant a 'guaranteed' spot in all betas...
1 up, 3 down
fluffer nutter
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 2:31:30 PM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 2:41:24 PM
Mr Anonymous Cowherd, aka underline is a regular poster here as am I. He is routinely negative about virtually every announcement. So before you decide to come over all defensive of him, and jump on another regular contributor, perhaps you might want to consider that.
@Alienage, in the case of Anonymous Cowherd, I believe that it is willful ignorance. Definitely not a mistake.
Last edited by Highlander on 6/16/2010 2:44:14 PM
4 up, 1 down
___________
Thursday, June 17, 2010 @ 7:52:06 AM
might as well say the new Ferrari will have a engine, seats, air con and a sunroof.
a little more detail into the features would be nice.
WHAT psn minis?
WHAT ps1 classic?
WHAT psn games?
i dont know about you but i dont throw cash away at something i dont know what im getting.
its like walking into a games shop and paying 50 bucks for a mystery box.
what if the content in the box i already have or dont like?
0 up, 2 down
fluffer nutter
Thursday, June 17, 2010 @ 12:21:46 PM
0 up, 0 down
laxpro2001
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 7:24:19 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Evil tele
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 8:50:06 AM
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but i dont understand the many ps3 users that go out of their way to bash those that want the feature...
why? any new feature added is good... whether u want it or not (especially if it's optional)
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 2:45:03 PM
4 up, 0 down
lupus
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:43:48 AM
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1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:23:49 PM
0 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:58:03 AM
Reply
5 up, 1 down
mike rlz
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 11:17:08 AM
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 12:11:47 PM
0 up, 0 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 1:58:00 PM
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Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:19:29 PM
@Pmartin,
As I've said before and will say again. None of that makes the feature anything close to being a deal breaker and yet that is how it is discussed.
Last edited by Highlander on 6/16/2010 3:25:35 PM
2 up, 0 down
B-RadGfromOV
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:22:39 PM
Last edited by B-RadGfromOV on 6/16/2010 3:23:02 PM
0 up, 0 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:43:51 PM
Unless I missed something, Cross Chat is not a "deal breaker". I know that, even though I want Cross Chat, wether it was going to be PSN Plus exclusive or not, it isn't what's going to make me pay for the subscription.
I did counter the argument of Cross Chat being a "useless feature" with my previous posts. I stated why it's not a "useless feature" for some. I also said Cross Chat is NOT NEEDED but it's a nice plus for alot of people that want it.
If I disrespected you Highlander I apologize as non was intended. I'm well aware that you're a regular poster on this site as I usually look for your comments as they're usually knowledgable.
0 up, 0 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 3:54:53 PM
Yes, there have been comments made in the past about Cross Chat being "stupid", "worthless", "useless". Not just here but other sites as well. There are people who will find ANY feature somehow "worthless" but to broadcast it like it's worthless for EVERYBODY is ignorant.
Some people even come off as Cross Chat being so bad it's like if it comes then the entire PSN will be a subscription.
Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 6/16/2010 3:57:09 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 6:04:04 PM
Hey, no worries, I have no arguments against anyone here, it's just a big, sometimes direct, discussion. Which is fine by me.
The comment you made that I was replying specifically to was this one "I'm starting to think that the people on here bashing X Chat either don't have friends to talk to online, don't game online, are a social recluse, or seem to be against it because it's an Xbox feature. "
You weren't calling anyone friendless by name, but two of the four points you made in the comment kinda, sorta indicated that you feel that people who are 'bashing X game chat' are friendless. I know that we frequently use exaggerated terms and phrases in comments here and elsewhere, so I take no offense. I just wanted to be clear what I was replying to.
As for X game chat. I'm not so much bashing it as I am questioning it's importance. Many posters here and eleswhere do talk of the feature in terms that make it sound like a deal breaker to them. I simply do not understand that. It's a nice to have, but it's hardly a feature that my purchasing decision depends on, you know?
1 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 6:56:45 PM
The way you feel like people who say they dont need it, like myself. Is how I feel about people who say they need it.
For instance I'm sitting here explaining the very reasons why I think its not something to get worked up over. Because literally people are still complaining that the PS3 doesnt have the said feature. I only bring up reason, because those complaints exist.
Now the people who do want it get defensive, and act like myself and others who dont dwell over the day it arrives, are bashing it. If people want it that badly thats great. If it comes to the PS3 fine by me. It would be an added bonus, and would be a welcomed one. But people still act like Sony has done nothing in the way of adding features because there still is no cross game chat. I mean Sony is releasing firmware to make PS3 3d ready(great I may have started another argument). But people are still complaining about cross game chat.
So I feel like people are getting worked up over, not really a big deal, as Highlander pointed out there are many many ways to communicate, besides using cross chat. And you feel like people are bashing it, and the people who want it so badly! When really all that is being said is, if the feature comes, great. If not, it shouldnt be a deal breaker for people.
EDIT: btw 50% of my gaming is done online, and I still see no must have for cross game chat. As I said If im in a game of MAG I dont need to be talking to another friend outside that game about the game he is playing, or dinner tomorrow, or whatever. I see no relevance in that at all.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 6/16/2010 7:04:57 PM
1 up, 1 down
Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 7:35:05 PM
I apologize for being defensive on the Cross Chat deal as I was unaware that there are people out there who fuss about it or call it a "deal breaker". I mainly see the majority of people complaining about how "useless" Cross Chat is. I admit, I'm one of many that I know that wants Cross Chat, but myself and everybody I know would hardly call it a deal breaker. I've had conversations with them and we all agreed that if Cross Chat came, and it was ONLY part of the subscription based PSN, but nothing else really offered to us to warrant the price then forget it, we wouldn't pay for it.
My main reason for being defensive on the deal is not because of people who say "if it comes great, but it's not a feature I care about". That's fine, that's your opinion and I respect that. It's comments like "Cross Chat is such a useless feature" To some yes, but not to everybody. There's also the popular "why would I wanna have chat invites sent to me while im in the middle of a good game?" Are you saying that you NEVER get game invites from buddies in a diff game than your in? An invite is an invite, be it chat or game. What makes a Cross Chat invite worse than a game invite?
I don't normally post comments on here as I like reading the articles and other's comments (mainly the regular posters as their comments are usually decent) but the whole negetivity I always read about Cross Chat, a feature that doesn't hurt anybody got to me today and I had to say something. I respect other's opinions, I don't respect ignorent comments.
Again I apologize as I was unaware of people crying over Cross Chat. I want it yes, but I don't NEED it.
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Ultimateps3king
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 1:55:29 PM
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RebelJD
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 @ 9:50:28 PM
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Deleted User
Thursday, June 17, 2010 @ 9:57:46 AM
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An add on that alot of users would enjoy and would like the ease of use? Yes
If you wouldn't like the option then don't use it. Although, my guess is if the PS3 gets cross game chat, the majority of online gamers would use it.
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Deleted User
Friday, June 18, 2010 @ 2:31:28 AM
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Xbox live Gold is still hands down the best gaming service available. Beats the hell out of anything on PC also!
i bought my ps3 and was going to sell my xbox 360 but after using PSN i realized there is no way in hell im selling my 360! I don't even bother chatting to anyone on PSN because I have to type everything out! Can't do cross game chat (Currently), can't have parties with 8 people like xbox live gold, the avatars are awesome, you can send invites to entire parties. You can just select someones name in your friends list and join their game instantly! You can select recent players and invite them to new games without them having to be on your friends list or writing down their PSN id!
I'm not flaming PSn I just really think they have a long ways to go before they start charging people for the service if they want to compete with a machine designed solely for gamers! I love ps3 and 360!
1 up, 0 down
shadowpal2
Reply
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 9:38:12 PM
Once I get my PS3...(sigh!) - parents and education...=(